Rofin delivers 5000th lab CO2 laser

This Daimler manufacturing facility produces a range of engine and power transmission components including motors, gears and axles. It had 18 Rofin CO2 slab laser systems, which have been welding gear components here for many years. The new 5kW DC 050 laser will be used within an existing two-station welding machine, built by the German company Arnold, to weld planet carrier components (pictured). This laser processing system, originally built in 1997, was moved to the works in Stuttgart-Zuffenhausen in 2001 and configured for its new task. Since then the system has been welding planet carriers for the all wheel component used in the 7G-TRONIC - 7-speed automatic gearbox. After almost 10 years of trouble free operation, the decision was made to upgrade the laser beam source. Using the 7G-TRONIC gearbox component produced on this machine, Daimler engineers have successfully found a way to increase traction and at the same time reduce the additional fuel consumption when using all wheel drive, from the typical 1.0 litre to 0.4 litres per 100 km travelled.